Blueberry Surprise French Toast Casserole

The breakfast spread at Turkey Run Inn at Turkey Run State Park in east-central Indiana often includes this warm-from-the-oven casserole. Cream cheese is the secret ingredient in this recipe, which gets a generous topping of blueberry or maple syrup.

Pork with Cherry Wild Rice Stuffing

This stuffing, which includes sausage, dried Michigan fruit and wild rice, forms a spiral when rolled up into a top loin roast. The recipe comes from the New York Restaurant in Harbor Springs, Michigan.

Porcini-Herb Crusted Lamb

This special-occasion dish takes extra time to prepare, but it's worth it. We simplified the original recipe from the Raphael Hotel on Country Club Plaza in Kansas City so it's easier for you to make at home. Serve with White Bean Ragout, a cooked-bean mix with rich flavors of mushroom, brother and prosciutto.

Luscious Cranberry-Chocolate Cake

Midwest cooking school guru Liz Clark added cranberries to this recipe from a friend in Chicago who develops recipes for restaurants. The dense, chocolaty layer cake is featured in Liz's cookbook, The Cranberry Companion.

Pompe de Noel and Provence Christmas Bread

Orange flower water gives a bright citrus flavor to these two traditional sweet breads from Provence, France. Look for the flower water at specialty supermarkets or order online from specialty food websites.